Tatton Park Biennial 2010: eye-popping art

Spectacular art show blossoms from 8 May– 26 September

After a successful inaugural event in 2008 Tatton's Biennial is back. Again the calibre of the artists make it a landmark event in the North West art calendar.

There's absolutely no excuse to miss the show as well, with regular courtesy buses running from the Cornerhouse in the city centre to Tatton on the events weekends detailed below.

This year Tatton Park, which lies a mere twelve miles as the crow flies from the city centre, is hosting new work from over twenty-five contemporary artists and writers. This covers all the bases from the spectacular to the humble and all of it should get you thinking. The full title is Tatton Park Biennial 2010: Framing Identity.

Biennial curators Danielle Arnaud & Jordan Kaplan said: “We have invited artists and writers to immerse themselves in the histories of Tatton Park and question identity and place within the context of the estate and surrounding area. Throughout the summer, Tatton becomes a creative laboratory where artists’ experiments can bemuse, confuse and provoke visitors.”

The work has been devised specifically for the 1,000-acre estate, turning it from an historical site into a platform for installations that invite debate and interaction around a range of subjects. There's a lot of fun and playfulness in there too.

Ryan Gander’s 16-plumed Bird of Paradise surfaces in various guises in the Arboretum, Mansion, on tours and in the shops.

Steve Messam floats over-sized ‘lilies’ in Tatton Mere.

Clara Ursitti* offers free chauffeur-driven taxi rides, in which the unmistakable smell of a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, the ultimate in luxury, is presented in the body of a Nissan Sunny.

Both Neville Gabie's block of ice from the Arctic and Jimmie Durham’s collection of leaking oil drums pose environmental questions.

Annika Eriksson’s films, intercut with those of the last Lord Egerton and screened in her portable six-seat cinema focus on Britain's class divide.

The history of the house and grounds are reflected in Kate MccGwire’s work in the Mansion’s kitchen, where feathers from local birds spill from the oven to occupy the whole room.

Helen Maurer in the Cupola Hall, employs glass once used in chandeliers at Manchester Airport (we'd wondered where they'd gone) to recall WWII parachute descents at Tatton.

A catalogue documenting the Biennial will be produced with contributions from Sci-Fi guru Brian Aldiss and contemporary art critic Rebecca Geldard as well as Kwong Lee, from Manchester’s own Castlefield Gallery. During the Biennial a wide range of activities for visitors will take place on the following weekends including talks, walks, tours, workshops and performances delivered by artists, curators and guest speakers: May 29 to 31, June 12 and 13, July 17 and 18, July 31 and Aug 1 and Aug 28 to 30

Curators and producers, Danielle Arnaud and Jordan Kaplan, of commissioning art organisation Parabola, have been invited to stage three biennials at Tatton over six years. This is the second in that series and takes place as the National Trust announces a welcome focus on contemporary art in its properties.

Of course Tatton will also offer all the usual delights too, from the gardens through to the farm. to the very good catering facilities and shops. Full details of all artists and works can be found on www.tattonparkbiennial.org

Visitor information:

Tatton Park Biennial 2010: Framing Identity 8 May – 26 September Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays For opening times and travel information: http://www.tattonpark.org.uk/ For information on talks and events and learning and access programmes visit www.tattonparkbiennial.org

A courtesy bus will operate from the Corenerhouse Manchester on: May 29 to 31, June 12 and 13, July 17 and 18, July 31 and Aug 1 and Aug 28 to 30.

• Departing: Cornerhouse 9.45am; Arriving: Tatton Park, 10.15am

• Departing: Tatton Park 1pm; Arriving: Cornerhouse 1.30pm

• Departing Cornerhouse 2pm; Arriving: Tatton Park 2.30pm

• Departing Tatton Park 5.15pm; Arriving: Cornerhouse 5.45pm

*Weekends only

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